The UAE is a strategic destination for Estonia’s exports of agricultural and food products

“The trade relationship between Estonia and the UAE in the agriculture and food sector is characterized by dynamism and continuous growth, with the UAE becoming a major strategic destination for Estonia’s exports of agricultural and food products,” said Kirli Nojs, Head of the Food Promotion Team at the Estonian Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture, Agricultural Policy Department. Collaborating on shared values ​​of innovation, sustainability and food security, as Estonia’s focus on producing clean, high-quality food is in line with the UAE’s goals to enhance food security and support sustainable agriculture.”

She added: “This partnership witnessed strong support through Estonia’s permanent participation in Gulfood, which is considered the largest food and beverage exhibition in the world, in addition to its presence at Expo 2020 Dubai. Estonian food and beverage companies played a pivotal role in strengthening trade relations by displaying Estonian products, and active participation within high-level trade delegations to the Emirates. A memorandum of understanding was also signed in February 2024 between the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture in Estonia and the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment to enhance joint cooperation in the areas of food security, agricultural innovation, and water resources management.”

Nogues pointed out that with the increasing demand in the UAE and the Gulf region for sustainable, high-quality and traceable food products, opportunities appear promising to expand agri-food exports and enhance bilateral cooperation. Estonia’s outstanding performance in the areas of innovation and sustainable food production, demonstrated by the success of its companies at Gulfood, strengthens its position as a reliable partner to meet this need. The steady increase in trade volume and the increasing expansion of Estonian brands in the UAE also reflect great potential for further growth and cooperation in the future.
Trade between Estonia and the United Arab Emirates in the agri-food sector has witnessed significant growth in recent years. In the first ten months of 2024, Estonia’s exports of agricultural products to the UAE amounted to 1.2 million euros. The most prominent exported products included: cheese (42% of total exports), beverages (38%), and animal feed (8%). During 2023, Estonia’s exports to the UAE amounted to about 3.1 million euros, making the UAE ranked fortieth among the largest markets importing Estonian agricultural and food products. Animal feed was the most prominent component of exports at 77%, followed by cheese (7%) and beverages (5%).”
As for imports from the UAE, although they are relatively modest, they are still important. Estonia recorded imports worth 267 thousand euros during the first ten months of 2024, most notably tea (54% of total imports) and dried fruits. Such as dates and figs (19%), and tobacco products (19%).

Nojs continued: “The steady growth in Estonian agri-food exports to the UAE reflects the growing interest of Estonian companies in the UAE market, along with the UAE’s openness to sustainable, high-quality Estonian food products. With the continued focus on innovation and sustainability, the prospects for growth in trade relations between the two countries appear very promising.” Estonian food and agricultural exports to the UAE include: dairy products, beverages, animal feed, and snacks.
Estonia is famous for its clean environment, fertile lands, and its reliance on sustainable agricultural practices. Therefore, it is distinguished by the production of natural, high-quality milk used in making cheese, which is the most prominent product that Estonia exports to the Emirates, as it constituted 42% of total exports in 2024. The famous Estonian brand “Valeo”, known for its high quality and distinctive flavors, is very popular. In the UAE market.
In addition to cheese, Estonia exports a variety of drinks, such as: apple juice, drinks, and mineral water, with famous brands; Such as Liviko and Saku are widely popular in the UAE. Exports also include animal feed, such as hay and alfalfa, which are essential to supporting the livestock sector in the UAE.
As for imports from the UAE, they include tea, accounting for 54% of total imports, in addition to dried fruits such as figs and dates (19%). This reflects the UAE’s pivotal role as a regional center for trade in these products.
Many Estonian agri-food companies maintain strong relationships with companies in Dubai, as Estonian brands such as Balsnack, Valio, Liviko and Saku have succeeded in establishing their presence in the UAE market.
These companies’ products are regularly displayed at major exhibitions, such as Gulfood, in addition to benefiting from trade events and various export support programs to strengthen their partnerships. These initiatives contributed to establishing partnerships with distributors, retailers and hospitality companies in the Emirates, which significantly strengthened the Estonian presence in the market.
Nojs said: “Gulfood represents a major platform for Estonian companies to showcase their innovations and the quality of their products, and it has won many innovation awards in recent years, which demonstrates its ability to compete globally. This success also reflects the strong position of Estonian products in the UAE market, and highlights Based on the promising potential to expand trade cooperation with Estonia, the UAE is considered a strategic market for the agri-food sector in Estonia, where Estonian companies are working to strengthen their presence in the UAE and develop. sustainable business relationships.
Estonia and the United Arab Emirates have established a solid framework for cooperation in the agri-food sector, one of the most prominent features of which is the Memorandum of Understanding signed in February 2024 on food security, water resources and foreign investment in agriculture. This memorandum aims to strengthen cooperation between the UAE government and the Ministries of Regional Affairs and Agriculture and Climate in Estonia, to establish close partnerships and support joint projects in agriculture and water resources management, and to encourage the use of innovative technological solutions to improve the management of food resources.
Moreover, the UAE-Estonian Business Council contributes to strengthening this cooperation by providing a strategic platform for Estonian companies, including agri-food companies, to network and build business relationships with the business community in the UAE. This council provides Estonian companies with valuable insights into the UAE market, opportunities to participate in business-to-business networking events, and explore future partnerships. This active presence in the UAE reflects Estonia’s commitment to developing long-term business relationships and strengthening its strategic presence in the region. Estonian companies view Dubai as a strategic hub to access markets in the UAE and the wider GCC region, thanks to its location as a major logistics hub for re-exports, making it an ideal gateway for Estonian agri-food companies to expand into markets in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and elsewhere.
For more than five years, Estonia Trade’s participation in Gulfood has contributed to promoting the Estonian agri-food sector, as each year participation has witnessed a growth in the size of delegations and the ambitions of companies. This exhibition constitutes a vital platform for networking, educating entrepreneurs about the opportunities available in the UAE, and developing strategies for expansion in its markets, including exploring joint manufacturing. We are pleased that an Estonian snack manufacturer is studying the possibility of establishing local production facilities in the UAE.
Besides, Estonia’s biotechnology sector, represented by companies such as TFTAK (Food and Fermentation Technologies Centre), is seeking partnerships with the UAE to develop plant-based and functional foods. Such initiatives aim to support local production capabilities, reduce supply chain costs, and meet the UAE’s growing demand for sustainable and healthy products.
With an increasing focus on sustainability, Estonia’s food sector has good potential to support the UAE’s national food security agenda. As Estonian companies continue to develop innovative and sustainable agri-food solutions, expanding the food processing sector in Dubai is a natural step to strengthen bilateral relations.